"Moses ... wrote of me"

In John 5:46, the Savior said, "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." That reminded me how often we learn of Christ from prophets in the Old Testament and Book of Mormon. What great faith they had to look forward to one who had not yet come. We are fortunate today to have a record of his earthly ministry.

"For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me" (John 5:46).

And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.  (Alma 34:14)

Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.  (Alma 33:19)

I Will Give You Rest

This week we're pondering the comforting words of a loving Savior who will shoulder our load if we just follow him...

Matthew 11:
  28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
  29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
  30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mosiah 2:
  41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Service in the Face of Scorn

I love the story of the daughter of Jairus.  Acting in faith, a man asks the Savior to heal his dying daughter.  Jesus does so in the face of ridicule.  I am grateful for the Lord's example of willing service despite the world's scorn.  I can strive to do the same knowing that I'm in good company (see 3 Nephi 12:11-12).

3 Nephi 12:11-12
  And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake; For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 9:18-19,23-25
  He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

The Golden Rule

This week we're studying Matthew 6-7. The Savior teaches us in Matthew 7:12 to treat others as we would want to be treated: The Golden Rule. To help us ponder what this means, I looked at the covenant the Lamanites made when they accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ (Alma 24:18). This shows how peace and prosperity follow when we turn to the Lord, love one another above ourselves, and consider the impact of our actions on others.

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  (Matthew 7:12)

And this they did, ... covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.  (Alma 24:18)

The Beatitudes

So much to ponder this week in Matthew 5 and Luke 6.  Reviewing the Beatitudes made me think of how grateful I am for the Savior whose teachings lead many millions around the world to do good, to show mercy, to make peace.

These beautiful verses remind me of the counsel in the Book of Mormon to do good and become children of Christ (Moroni 7:13, 19):

  13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God.

  19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

And of course, the Beatitudes (from Matthew 5):

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.